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Michael O'Rielly

Commissioner

Michael O’Rielly was nominated for a seat on the Federal Communications Commission by President Barack Obama on August 1, 2013 and was confirmed unanimously by the United States Senate on October 29, 2013. He was sworn into office on November 4, 2013. On January 29, 2015, he was sworn into office for a new term, following his re-nomination by the President and confirmation by the United States Senate.

Prior to joining the agency Commissioner O’Rielly served as a Policy Advisor in the Office of the Senate Republican Whip, led by U.S. Senator John Cornyn, since January 2013. He worked in the Republican Whip’s Office since 2010, as an Advisor from 2010 to 2012 and Deputy Chief of Staff and Policy Director from 2012 to 2013 for U.S. Senator Jon Kyl.

He previously worked for the Republican Policy Committee in the U.S. Senate as a Policy Analyst for Banking, Technology, Transportation, Trade, and Commerce issues from 2009 to 2010. Prior to this, Commissioner O’Rielly worked in the Office of U.S. Senator John Sununu, as Legislative Director from 2007 to 2009, and Senior Legislative Assistant from 2003 to 2007. Before his tenure as a Senate staffer, he served as a Professional Staff Member on the Committee on Energy and Commerce in the United States House of Representatives from 1998 to 2003, and Telecommunications Policy Analyst from 1995 to 1998.

He began his career as a Legislative Assistant to U.S. Congressman Tom Bliley from 1994 to 1995.

Commissioner O’Rielly received his B.A. from the University of Rochester.

Joel Miller

Chief of Staff and Media Legal Advisor

Mr. Miller joined Commissioner O’Rielly’s office from the Office of Congressman Brett Guthrie of Kentucky, where he started as a Senior Legislative Assistant in 2013 following a year of service in the Office of Todd Rokita of Indiana. Most recently he served as Deputy Chief of Staff and Legislative Director for Mr. Guthrie, responsible for crafting and carrying out the Congressman’s overall agenda and advising on matters before the House Energy and Commerce Committee, including communications policy. Mr. Miller received his J.D. from the Antonin Scalia Law School at George Mason University and his B.A. in English from Malone University.

Erin McGrath

Legal Advisor, Wireless, Public Safety and International

Ms. McGrath has worked at the Commission since March 2000. Most recently, she was Legal Advisor to Commissioner Robert M. McDowell focusing primarily on media issues. Prior to joining Commissioner McDowell’s staff, she was an Assistant Division Chief in the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau’s Mobility Division. During this time, she engaged in numerous rulemaking proceedings, reviewed several major wireless and media transactions, and managed post-auction licensing matters. She also served as interim Legal Advisor to Commissioner Meredith A. Baker for wireless, international, and public safety issues. Ms. McGrath received her J.D. from the Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law and her B.A. from the University of Pennsylvania.

Arielle Roth

Wireline Legal Advisor

Arielle Roth joins Commissioner O’Rielly’s office as Legal Advisor on wireline issues. Ms. Roth previously served as a Legal Advisor in the Wireline Competition Bureau, where she provided counsel on pricing and universal service matters. Prior to joining the Commission, Ms. Roth was a Legal Fellow with the Hudson Institute’s Center for the Economics of the Internet. Originally from Canada, she received her LL.B. and B.C.L. from the McGill University Faculty of Law and her undergraduate degree from the University of Toronto.

Susan Fisenne

Confidential Assistant

Ms. Fisenne has worked at the Federal Communications Commission since 2005. Most recently, she served as a Consumer Education and Outreach Specialist in the Consumer and Government Affairs Bureau. She also previously worked as a Confidential Assistant to former FCC Commissioner Deborah Taylor Tate.

Ovonda Walker

Staff Assistant

Mrs. Walker has over 10 years of federal government service. She served as an Executive Secretary to the Deputy Inspector General for Policy and Oversight at the Department of Defense; and as a Secretary in the Civil Rights Division at the Department of Justice. Mrs. Walker has also worked as a federal government contractor at the Federal Aviation Administration.